Norwegian dragons

My ongoing project is all about the Norwegian dragons. I want to find what makes our dragon different from the rest of the world. And I want to make my own versions of my local dragons. In the beginning, the inspiration for this came from the heads of the Hardingfeler / Harding-fiddles. Then I started researching my lokal viking-sites and finds, but foremost it is based on the dragons from the Stave Churches and buildings in the vally Numedal, along the river of wich I live.

I'm fascinated by the dragon heads on the harding fiddles. The focus and interest of the artist who made the fiddle is reflected in the shape and decoration. The fiddle heads therefore have an incredible range of personalities. Some are mischievous, some are angry, some are challenging and some are a little scared and tired and have been up a little too long. They are feminine and masculine, arrogant and evasive, short and elegant.

My grandfather Karl Heia is an important and warm person in my life. He was a hardingfiddle-player, a bearer of local, musical tradition and took the initiative to found the organisation Kongsberg Spel- og Dansarlag. (Kbg. player- and dancer organisation).

The Vikings' belief and fear of dragons is a recurring theme in crafts from the Viking Age and I admire their meticulous and beautiful works.

I live close to Hedenstad medieval church where there were Viking settlements and grew up close to one of the stronges populated areas of this part of Norway in the viking-age, so this is my people and familys heritage.

From Hauk Buen's collection of Jon Tjønn fiddles

The stave churches in Nore and Uvdal counties are from 1168 and decorated with wood carvings and paintings of dragon motifs. The same applies to the oldest buildings in Numedal, including Kravik farm.

For part of my upbringing, I lived by Kravik bridge in Nore and spent a lot of time with my friend who was a guide in Nore Stave Church. I was also baptized and got married in Flesberg Stave-church and have a strong connection to the valley and this heritage.

Having worked with this for 4 years now, I realise it is a life-long project.

Wich I enjoy.

I realy look foreward to chearing it with you.